Thomlinson named Georgia Champion

Alex Thomlinson of Suches, Ga., was named Georgia State Champion Beginning Fiddler, Friday, October 19, 2007. This was the second time he has been awarded First Place/Beginning Fiddle at Georgia's Official State Fiddlers' Convention--the culminating event of the 10-day Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawassee Ga.

Twelve-year-old Alex played Lovers' Waltz and Gray Eagle in a field of 17 beginning fiddle contestants, ages 15 and younger. His accompanists were Rob Pearcy of Smyrna Tenn., and Bobby Nobley of LaGrange, Ga.

Emcee Fiddlin' Howard Cunningham, founder of the Fiddlers' Convention and inductee of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame, presented each winner with a plaque and a monetary prize. Assisting in the presentation of awards was James "Chief" Childers, also an inductee of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame,and one of the producers of the Georgia State Fiddlers' Convention. The two-day fiddlers' convention included instrument contests in Beginning Fiddle (ages 15 and under), Junior Fiddle (ages 16-59), Senior Fiddle (ages 60 and up), Flatpick Guitar, Finger-Style Guitar, Old Time Banjo, 5-String Banjo, Mandolin, Dobro, Dulcimer, Harmonica, and Bluegrass Band.

Alex is the current State Champion Beginning Fiddler in both Georgia and Alabama, and he holds a National beginning fiddle title which he earned in Smithville, Tennessee in July 2007.

Other winners in the Beginning Fiddle category were Danielle Bishop of Fairview, N.C.(2nd Place), and Jennifer Warrilous of Alpharetta, Ga., (3rd Place.) Further information on the Georgia State Fiddlers' Convention and other events at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds may be found on the web at www.GeorgiaMountainFairgrounds.com